Self-closing 180 degree opening,concealed hinge

ABSTRACT

A CABINET HINGE SYSTEM WHEREIN A SWINGABLE CABINET CLOSURE MEMBER IS HINGED TO A STATIONARY CABINET MEMBER FOR OUTWARD SWINGING SUBSTANTIALLY 180* BETWEEN CLOSED POSITION UNIPLANAR WITH THE STATIONARY MEMBER TO FULLY OPEN POSITION FACING THE STATIONARY MEMBER. INDIVIDUAL FLAT HINGE LEAVES ARE RESPECTIVELY SURFACE MOUNTED TO THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE MEMBERS AND HINGED TO A COMMON LINKING CHANNEL MEMBER ALONG PARALLEL SPACED HINGE AXES FLANKING THE CHANNEL MEMBER. UNEQUAL ELASTIC MEANS, SUCH AS HELICAL SPRINGS OR RESILIENT FLEX HINGE JOUNTS, ACTING ALONG EACH HINGE AXIS COACT TO CAUSE SEQUENTIAL SWINGING ABOUT ONE AND THEN THE OTHER HINGE AXIS DURING MOVEMENT OF THE CLOSURE MEMBER AND TO URGE THE CLOSURE MEMBER TO CLOSED POSITION.

Oct. 19, 1971 J. SPURLIN 3,513,152

SELF-CLOSING 180 OPENING CONCEALED HINGE Filed Nov. 21. 1968 2Sheets-Sheot 1 Fig. 1.

Joseph L. Spurlin, Fig INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

J. L. SPURLIN 3,613,152

SELF-CLOSING, 180 OPENING, CONCEALED HINGE Oct. 19, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed Nov. 21, 1968 United States Patent Oflice Patented Oct. 19, 19713,613,152 SELF-CLOSING 180 OPENING, CONCEALED HINGE Joseph L. Spurlin,Oceanside, Calif., assignor to Hughes Aircraft Company, Culver City,Calif. Filed Nov. 21, 1968, Ser. No. 777,792 Int. Cl. Ef 1/12 US. Cl.16-189 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cabinet hinge systemwherein a swingable cabinet closure member is hinged to a stationarycabinet member for outward swinging substantially 180 between closedposition uniplanar with the stationary member to fully open positionfacing the stationary member. Individual flat hinge leaves arerespectively surface mounted to the interior surface of the members andhinged to a common linking channel member along parallel spaced hingeaxes flanking the channel member. Unequal elastic means, such as helicalsprings or resilient flex hinge joints, acting along each hinge axiscoact to cause sequential swinging about one and then the other hingeaxis during movement of the closure member and to urge the closuremember to closed position.

This invention relates to self-closing concealed hinges and moreparticularly to a cabinet hainge system employing such hinges.

The prior art discloses various concealed hinges which in use aremortised into abutting edges of a cabinet door and cabinet wall, aremounted within a cabinet interior but are incapable of full 180 openingor are incapable of self-closing, or lack various other attributes ofhinge and hinge systems in accordance with the present invention.

Briefly described the present invention provides se1fclosing,surface-mountable, concealed hinges affording 180 opening and closing ofa cabinet closure member or door. More particularly, the presentinvention provides a cabinet hinge system for hinging a swingablecabinet closure member to a supporting stationary cabinet member whereinthe closure member is outwardly swingable substantially 180 betweenclosed position uniplanar with the stationary member and fully openposition facing the stationary member. A first hinge leaf mounted flaton the interior face of the stationary member and a second hinge leafmounted flat on the interior face of the closure member are each hingedto a common linking channel member in parallel spaced relation flankingthe meeting edges of the members. The hinge axis between the stationarymember and the channel member is stationary, and the closure member andchannel member swing thereabout in unison for 90 of opening movement topartially open position. The marginal area adjacent the meeting edge ofthe cabinet member restrains the channel member against further swingingabout the stationary axis while the closure member swings an additional90 about the hinge axis between the closure member and the channelmember to fully open position. The noted dual swinging motion of theclosure member is assured by providing unequal elastic means along eachhinge axis, in the form of helical springs or resilient flex hinges,coacting to urge the movable member to closed position and havingunequal resistance to turning of the hinge leaves about the respectivehinge axes.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a concealed hingeaffording 180 movement between a pair of hinged members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selfclosing concealedhinge.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge system wherein aconcealed, surface-mounted hinge accommodates substantially 180 openingand closing of a swingable door relative to an adjacent stationary wall.

Other object and advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following detailed specification, and upon examining theaccompanying drawings which set forth, by way of illustration andexample, certain embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a cabinet wherein a cabinet door is hinged to an adjacentwall of the cabinet.

FIG. 2 shows a fragment of a hinge in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIGS. 3 thru 5 are fragmentary views illustrating the manner in whichthe cabinet door, shown in FIG. 1, may be swung between open and closedpositions.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a six-sided box cabinet 10 is shown whichconsists of top, bottom, back, front, and side walls. Each wall may be asheet metal panel having a thickness of .090" for example. Cabinet 10may be 19" high, 9 wide, and 20 deep. Side panel 12 may extend downward9" from top panel 14 with its side marginal areas secured to the frontpanel 16 and the back panel (not shown). Door panel 18 is hinged to sidepanel 12 by interiorily mounted concealed hinge 20 and extends downward10" to the bottom panel of cabinet 10. The abutting bottommost edge ofside panel 12 and topmost edge of door panel 18 are slanted, as can bebetter seen in FIGS. 3-5, to facilitate opening and closing of doorpanel 18.

'Referring now to FIG. 2, hinge 20 comprises a pair of piano hinges andmay have a lengthwise dimension of 18" and a vertical dimension of 2 /2.Flat hinge leaves 22 and 24 flank respective L-shaped hinge leaves 26and 28. Hinge leaves 26 and 28 are spot welded together to define aU-shaped transverse configuration. Hinge leaves 22 and 26 are hingedtoegther along hinge axis 30 by a hinge pin 32 inserted throughcomplementarily interdigitated, coaxially aligned, loop-shaped ears orknuckles 34 formed on the intersecting lateral edges of leaves 22 and26. Hinge leaves 24 and 28 are hinged together about hinge pin 36 alonghinge axis 38 in a similar fashion.

Helical torsion spring 39 mounted coaxially between a pair of spacedknuckles 34 on hinge pin 32 has free or unanchored radial terminalportions resting in transverse dimples on hinge leaves 22 and 26.Helical spring 39 is preloaded so that its terminal portions urge hingeleaves 22 and 26 toward overlapping folded relation as indicated byarrows 40. Similarly, helical springs 42 and 44 are each mountedcoaxially of hinge pin 36 and are each preloaded so that theirrespective radial terminal portions urge hinge leaves 28 and 24 towardoverlapping folded relation as indicated by arrows 46. Springs 42 and 44each have a torque-angular deflection characteristic comparable to thatof spring 39 so that the torque or spring force exerted on hinge leaves28 and 24 is substantially double the torque or spring force exerted onhinge leaves 22 and 26. Springs 39, 42, and 44 may be of spring steel ormusic wire. Stop member 48, secured to hinge leaf 24, maintains hingeleaf 24 at a angle relative to the adjacent leg of hinge leaf 28 againstthe spring force exerted by springs 42 and 44 while the spring forceexerted by spring 39 is unopposed so that hinge leaf 22 normally isfolded onto the adjacent leg of hinge leaf 26. Stop member 48 shown nearone end of hinge 20 may be positioned elsewhere as for example midwaybetween the hinge ends. If desired, a stop member may be provided tomaintain hinge leaf 22 at a 90 angle relative to the adjacent leg ofhinge leaf 26.

FIGS. 3-5 considered with FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the manner in whichaccess to the interior of cabinet 10 is achieved. In FIG. 3 door panel18 is shown in closed position.

Hinge leaf 22 is suitably secured, as for example by spot welding, toside panel 12 and binge leaf 24 is suitably secured to door panel 18with one terminal portion of each spring captured between associatedhinge leaf 22 or 24 and panel 12 or 18 and the other terminal portion ofeach spring extending into the space within the channel and freelyengaging the adjacent leg of associated L- shaped hinge leaf 26 or 28.

To open door panel 18, the door panel is pulled outwardly upward,initially swinging door panel 18 through an arc of 90 about axis 30 tothe FIG. 4 or partially open position. During this initial swingingmovement of door panel 18 the spring force of spring 39 is overcome andthe spring unwinds. In the FIG. 4 position hinge leaf 26 abuts themarginal area of side panel 12 whereby subsequent swinging of door panel18 through an additional 90 to the FIG. or fully open position occursabout hinge axis 38. During this subsequent swinging movement of doorpanel 18 the spring force of springs 42 and 44 is overcome and springs42 and 44 unwind. It is noted that because the spring force exerted bysprings 42 and 44 is substantially greater than that exerted by spring39, unwinding of springs 42 and 44 occurs only after spring 39 has beenunwound. By this arrangement, door panel 18 is caused to sequentiallyswing about hinge axes 30 and 38 in the manner indicated by FIGS. 3-5. Asingle torsion spring having a spring force substantially double that ofspring 39 may be substituted for springs 42 and 44 as a matter of designchoice to achieve the same results.

During the movement of door panel 18 from the FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 position,torsioning of springs 39, 42 and 44 occurs so that upon release of thedoor panel the springs rewind and cooperate to return door panel 18 tothe FIG. 3 position in a dual swinging motion about first hinge axis 38and then about hinge axis 30.

Insofar as no stop member has been provided between hinge leaves 22 and26, the preload on spring 39 will urge these leaves to overlappingfolded relation, as previously indicated, but Will be unable to do so asthe edges of the front, back, and bottom panels of cabinet 10, when doorpanel 18 is in closed position, serve as a stop which maintains hingeleaf 22 at a 90 angle relative to the adjacent leg of hinge leaf 26against the spring force exerted by spring 39.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a hinge 70 consisting of asingle elongated strip of plastic material such as polyethylene whichhas been molded into a predetermined configuration. Central portion 72has been molded into a channel configuration consisting of a rearwardbase portion 74 and a pair of opposed leg portions 76 and 78. Lateralmarginal portions 80 and 82 flank the central portion 72 and arecontiguous to respective longitudinal portions 84 and 86 which in turnare contiguous to leg portions 76 and 78. Hinge portions 72, 80, and 82are sufliciently thick to be relatively stiff and non-flexible whereasconnecting portions 84 and 86 are of reduced thickness and aresufficiently thin so as to be capable of resilient flexing aboutlongitudinal axes 88 and 90. Hinge 70 is shown with connecting portions84 and 86 subjected to flexure so that marginal portions 80 and 82 arein parallel coplanar relation and each at right angles to the adjacentrespective one of channel legs 76 and 78. Connecting portions 84 and 86are naturally resilient so that in the absence of fiexure marginalportions 80 and 82 will be rotated thereby about the respective hingeaxes 88 and 90 in the directions indicated by the arrows to assume anacute angle with respect to the associated hinge leg 76 or 78. Flexjoint 84 possesses a thickness (T) about 4 half that of flex joint 86(2T) so that the opposition to flexing of flex joint 84 is about halfthat of flex joint 86. It will be appreciated that the FIG. 6 hinge maybe utilized in lieu of the FIG. 2 hinge in the cabinet hinge systemshown in FIG. 1.

While preferred embodiments have been described hereinabove, it is to beunderstood that these embodiments are illustrative and that allmodifications, constructions, and arrangements within the scope andspirit of the appended claims fall within the ambit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A self-closing hinge comprising:

first and second hinge members,

a third hinge member having a channel configuration between laterallyopposed edges,

each of said first and second members having aligned spaced formationsalong an edge thereof,

said third member having spaced aligned formations along each edgethereof,

the formations on the first member and one edge of said third memberbeing coaxially interfitted and maintained in coaxial alignment by afirst hinge pin extending through the formations to define a first swingaxis,

the formations on the second member and the other edge of said thirdmember being coaxially interfitted and maintained in coaxial alignmentby a second hinge pin extending through these formations to define asecond swing axis,

a first helical spring disposed concentrically of said first hinge pinhaving terminal portions urging said first member in a first directionof swing about the first swing axis so that said first and third membersare normally in folded relation, and

second and third helical springs disposed concentrically of said secondhinge pin having terminal portions urging said second member in a firstdirection of swing about the second swing axis so that said third andsecond members are normally in folded relation.

2. A self-closing door hinge system comprising:

a door member in registration with a doorway adjacent a wall member andcoplanar therewith,

a hinge construction mounting said door member permitting swingingmovements of said door member about first and second hinge axes,

said hinge construction including a pair of hinge segments respectivelymounted on a first side of said door member and said well member, 7

a channel segment having its base portion in spaced relation to theaforementioned first sides and having opposed leg portions extendingfrom opposite edges of said base portion toward said first sides, tosaid pair of hinge segments being respectively hinged about theaforesaid axes, and

unequal torsion means arranged about the respective hinge axes eachsetting up respective torsion forces for opposing swinging movements ofsaid door member in one direction, and for aiding swinging movement ofsaid door member in the opposite direction, the torsion force of thetorsion spring means associated with the door mounted hinge segmentbeing greater than the torsion force of the other torsion means so thatupon swinging movement of said door member in a first direction of thedoor will first turn about said first axis and then about said secondaxis.

3. In a hinge system for hinging a door in a doorway adjacent a lateraledge of a wall, wherein the door in closed position is in registry Withthe doorway and coplanar with the wall, the combination of:

respective wall-mounted and door-mounted hinge leaves,

a hinge leaf of channel configuration having a base otfset inwardly ofthe door and the wall and having laterally spaced legs extendingperpendicularly from the base each terminating in a hinged connection tothe respective wall-mounted and door-mounted hinge leaves,

first torsion means arranged along a first hinge axis defined by thehinged connection between the wallmounted hinge leaf and the associatedchannel leg,

second torsion means arranged along a second hinge axis defined by thehinge connection between the door-mounted hinge leaf and the associatedchannel leg,

said torsion means cooperating to bias said door to closed position, andthe arrangement being such that the door may be swung outwardly aboutthe hinged connections into facing relation with the wall in a swingingmovement about ,the first and then the second hinge axis and may bereturned to closed position by the torsion forces exerted by the torsionmeans acting upon the hinge leaves.

4. A hinge comprising in combination:

a first hinge leaf and a second hinge leaf,

2. channel link pivotally attached to each said hinge leaf at respectivefirst and second spaced hinge axes so that each said hinge leaf isswingable with respect to the other hinge leaf and with respect to thechannel link,

first means for opposing swinging of said second hinge leaf relative tosaid channel link during swinging of the channel link in a firstdirection about said first hinge axis,

second means for opposing swinging of said channel link relative to saidfirst hinge leaf during subsequent further swinging in the samedirection of the said second hinge leaf about said second hinge axis,and

said first and second means each comprising torsion means each settingup respective torsion forces upon swinging of said second hinge leaf inthe first direction operative to return said second hinge leaf in adirection opposite to the first direction in the absence of a mechanicalload urging said second hinge leaf in said first direction.

5. A hinge comprising in combination:

a first hinge leaf and a second hinge leaf,

a channel link pivotally attached to each said hinge leaf at respectivefirst and second spaced hinge axes so that each said hinge leaf isswingable with respect to the other hinge leaf and with respect to thechannel link,

first means for opposing swinging of said second hinge leaf relative tosaid channel link during swinging of the channel link in a firstdirection about said first hinge axis,

second means for opposing swinging of said channel link relative to saidfirst hinge leaf during subsequent further swinging in the samedirection of the said second hinge leaf about said second hinge axis,and

said first and second means each comprising elastic means each settingup respective elastic forces upon swinging of said second hinge leafin'the first direction operative to return said second hinge leaf in adirection opposite to the first direction in the absence of a mechanicalload urging said second hinge leaf in said first direction.

6. The hinge of claim wherein:

said first hinge leaf, said second hinge leaf, and said channel link aredefined by respective relatively stiff body portions of a single sheetof plastic material and wherein said first means and said second meanseach comprise respective sheet areas of reduced thickness serving asrespective resiliently flexible interconnections respectively pivotallyattaching said channel link to said first hinge leaf and said secondhinge leaf as aforesaid to each offer different degrees of resistance toflexing during swinging of said 5 hinge segment.

7. The hinge of claim 5 wherein: said first hinge leaf, said secondhinge leaf, and said channel link are composed of respective sections ofa single sheet of relatively stiff material having a plurality oflaterally spaced bends extending across the sheet and serving to definein part the configuration of said channel link and further having atleast two other resiliently flexible bends each extending across saidsheet with said at least two other resiliently flexible bends flankingsaid plurality of bends to respectively constitute said first means andsaid second means and serving to define the configuration of said firsthinge leaf and said second hinge leaf.

8. The hinge of claim 5 wherein:

said first hinge leaf, said second hinge leaf, said channel link, saidfirst means, and said second means are formed in a single sheet having apair of longitudinally extending bends in parallel spaced relation todefine an intermediate portion thereof having a pair of laterallyopposed side panels connected by a bridge panel which taken togetherform said channel link; the single sheet further having a pair ofmounting panels each extending from corresponding terminal edges of saidside panels and respectively forming said first hinge leaf and saidsecond hinge leaf; said mounting, side, and bridge panels beingrelatively stiff; said mounting panels being respectively pivotallyattached to said side panels by resiliently flexible portions of saidsheet each having different torsion characteristics and each being arespective one of said first means and said second means.

9. The hinge of claim 5 wherein:

said first hinge leaf, said second hinge leaf, and said channel linkcomprise respective portions of a single sheet of plastic materialhaving a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal edges wherein said sheetincludes a pair of respective marginal body portions flanking anintermediate body portion, said body portions each being of sufficientthickness to be relatively stiff, said intermediate body portion beingmolded to define and constitute said channel link, said respectivemarginal body portions respectively being said first hinge leaf and saidsecond hinge leaf, each respective marginal body portion having arespective area thereof which is of reduced thickness, the respectiveareas of said respective marginal body portions being unequal inthickness with the thinner area of said respective areas offering lessresistance to flexing than the thicker area of said respective areas,said respective areas of said respective marginal body portions beingrespectively adjacent said intermediate body portion and respectivelyserving as a resiliently flexible interconnection between suchrespective marginal body portion and said intermediate body portion soas to respectively constitute said first means and said second means.

10. The hinge set forth in claim 5 further comprising:

stop means arranged between said channel link and said second hinge leaffor limiting the range through which said second hinge leaf may be swungabout said second axis during swinging of said second hinge leaf aboutsaid second axis in a direction opposite to said same direction.

11. In a door hinge system for hinging a door in a doorway adjacent alateral edge of a wall wherein the door in closed position is inregistry with the doorway 75 and coplanar with said wall the combinationof:

a wall-mounted hinge leaf and a door-mounted hinge leaf on the same sideof said wall and said door;

a hinge leaf member of channel configuration having a base oifsetinwardly of the aforementioned same side and having laterally spacedlegs extending perpendicularly from the base each terminating in ahinged connection to a respective hinge leaf;

a first torsion spring arranged along a first one of said hingedconnections and a second torsion spring arranged along a second one ofsaid hinged connections,

said torsion springs cooperating to normally bias said door to closedposition,

the arrangement being such that the door may be swung outwardly aboutits pivotal edge into facing relation with the Wall in a dual swingingmovement about the hinge axes and may be returned to closed positionunder the influence of spring forces produced by torsioning of thetorsion sprngs during outward swinging of the door to open position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bommer 16183 Katzenberger 16-183Covi 16-128.1

Hansen 16-163 Hall 16128.1

Aspin 16163 Schuyler 16-144 Hedstrom 16163 BOBBY R. GAY, PrimaryExaminer P. A. ASCHENBRENNER, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R.

